John Calipari wants an answer from the NCAA on Zvonimir Ivisic

Nothing has changed with Zvonimir Ivisic, unfortunately. Kentucky continues to twiddle its thumbs impatiently waiting for the NCAA to make a decision. Factor that in with his extended admissions process, then the random illnesses and injuries, the 7-2 forward has had a rough go of it since signing with the Wildcats back in August.

One way or another, something’s got to give. It’s inexcusable for the college basketball regular season to be over a third of the way through with zero clarity on the matter. John Calipari feels that way too. For now, though, he plans to sent Ivisic home for the holidays to spend time with his family and friends — a well-deserved break. And hopefully by the time he gets back, Kentucky will have an answer.

“It hasn’t changed. All that he’s been through — plus he was 242 and went down to 219. He’s not sleeping, struggling to eat, you know what I’m saying? For his sake, I said I was good with it,” Calipari said. “His parents are also — you know, he’s going to go home and be back before the Illinois State game. Hopefully we hear something.”

And then Coach Cal’s real feelings on the matter poked through. He indirectly revealed this situation is money-related — or at least said it’s ridiculous name, image and likeness has become what it has while players like Ivisic deal with interrogations from the NCAA regarding his previous stops before making his way to the United States.

“Here’s the crazy thing. NIL — you do know juniors are making hundreds of thousands in high school? One just signed for a million. High school. Seniors are making hundreds of thousands, in high school. ‘Well, this is stated different.’ Stop it,” Calipari said. “That’s why we’re in this position, and that’s why the Supreme Court and every court says, ‘No, you can’t do it that way.’ I’m hoping that they look at this. It took us a while to get him admitted. Somebody told me he put out his GPA, which was (good).”

Ivisic previously said he’s “done everything I can” to put himself in position to play, taking care of business on and off the floor as a student-athlete at Kentucky.

“I love this school,” he said. “I love my teammates and going against other great players every day in practice. I love being coached and challenged and I’m hoping to hear that I can play soon.”

For now, though, he’ll go home to take care of himself.

“For him, the best thing for him,” Calipari said. “Not for me. I’d rather him be with me, stay with me. He needs to get home. He needs to be around his family. But he’s done good stuff.”

Will he do good stuff in game action for the Wildcats? The ball is in the NCAA’s court.